Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki pledges conflict-prevention focus and UN reform

Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki, one of eight hopefuls to replace Antonio Guterres as U.N. secretary-general, invoked her childhood experience in war-torn Beirut to promise a focus on conflict prevention. She pledged to travel to hotspots, engage directly with parties, and push for a "renewal" of the United Nations. Baki also called for a more representative Security Council, arguing it remains stuck in the post-World War Two order.

Guterres will step down after two five-year terms, and the Security Council is set to conduct a second informal poll on Friday. A July straw poll had placed Rebeca Grynspan ahead, but Baki was not included because her nomination came later. The field also includes former leaders such as Michelle Bachelet and Macky Sall, with the role traditionally rotating to Latin America next.